New Techniques Week 10

We had a wonderful time this week. Everyone was so happy to see each other and share their beautiful finished projects. There are just two more classes to go before the extension classes begin.

Registration for the Extension Class
Linda brought registration forms for the extension that starts on May 3 for four weeks. The cost is $32 for students under 55 years of age and $10 for students over 55. Twelve to fourteen students are needed for the class, and we will learn moebius knitting. Linda would like us to order one of the moebius books by Cat Bordhi, so one of the students is looking into getting a group order online for anyone interested. More details next week. (Judith stopped at Beverly's in Rocklin on Friday evening and found the Moebius knitting book, A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting, by Cat Bordhi. She used a 40% off coupon and got the book for a little more than 17 dollars. There were 3 more books in the store. One book was on the bookshelf by the front window; the others were on the bookshelf with most of the knitting books. )

Clover Needles
Linda announced that Clover Needles has discontinued the mini circular needles; however, the following stores will special order it for you: Fibers in Grass Valley, $5.00 (no discounts); Rumpelstiltskin in Sacramento, $4.10; and Auburn Needleworks, no information given but they plan to order soon. I think the sizes were 6, 8, and 10 inches.

Julie mentioned that the $1.25 store near Raley’s at the Foresthill exit carries a variety of knitting supplies such as yarn, needles, stitch holders, crochet hooks. The needles are heavier than usual, but it may be just right for having supplies around for your children or grandchildren.

Mosaic Knitting
Tonight we went over mosaic knitting which is “another way to use color in your knitting” and started a little sampler. This type of knitting is good for an all over pattern and not just a band design such as Fair Isle, and you use only one yarn at a time instead of knitting with two colors on two hands. Linda showed us two books that she used for the 10- page packet she gave us: “Mosaic Knitting” by Barbara Walker and “Slip Stitch Knitting” by Roxanna Bartlett. Below are some of the tips that were mentioned in class, but they may not make sense to you if you were absent. I am visual so I needed to watch someone try this before I understood it.

Tips:
Cast on with only one color, and knit for 1-3 rows before starting pattern.
Start with the lighter color first.
Knit with the same color for two rows, and then switch to the other color for two rows.
The color not used is slipped purl wise. You cannot slip more than 3 stitches of the same color.
You will have stranding in the back.
You can use garter or stockinette stitch or combine the two in your pattern.

Homework
Practice on the sampler for mosaic knitting or finish the projects you have started. If you are starting on mosaic knitting, Linda suggested trying the crown or basketweave first since they are easier than the other patterns. Her packet included directions for making different needle holders.

Have a great week.